The government's embarrassing defeat over an amendment to the dog microchipping law has pleased farmers, but it is already stoking rebellion from urban owners and some claim in its new form, the law is unworkable.
In a surprise move in parliament on Wednesday night, four Green party MPs backed an exemption for working dogs.
The government had steadfastly refused to bow to pressure from farmers for the exemption.
Up until the vote the Green Party said it wanted an exemption for all dogs except those classified as menacing or dangerous, and it appeared the law would not be changed.
Federated Farmers says a lot of behind the scenes political lobbying went on to try and get working dogs exempted.
President of Waikato Federated Farmers, Peter Buckley, was at parliament on Wednesday presenting a petition against compulsory microchipping. He says his group specifically lobbied the Greens but had no guarantees about how the vote would go.
One of the Green MPs, Sue Bradford, says the issue is a reminder to Labour that it is an MMP parliament.
The minister responsible for microchipping, Nanaia Mahuta, says the about face is disappointing and implementing the exemption will be difficult.
She says the government accepts the outcome is part of the nature of MMP.
Green Party co-leader, Jeanette Fitzsimons, says she was surprised at Nandor Tancos when he voted to exempt working dogs.
Fitzsimons says she knew that three Green MP's were going to vote for the exemption, but not the Tancos. She says the Green's are united in their belief that micro-chipping is silly idea for any dogs apart from dangerous breeds.
Tanczos says his last minute decision to change his vote was tactical, not a sign of a split within his party.
He says the party has split its vote before, and that Fitzsimons was more concerned that it was being misrepresented in the media than as dissension within the party.
Mixed response
The Veterinary Association says almost half of all dogs could be exempt from microchipping when working dogs are excluded from the incoming law.
Chief executive of the vets group, Murray Gibb, says the definition of a working dog is very broad. He says about 30% of dogs are legitimately described as working dogs but that could be stretched to 40% if other animals are added.
Gibb says says the Veterinary Association still believes microchipping of all dogs is the most efficient and humane way to identify New Zealand's dogs.
He hopes in the longer term, microchipping will become more acceptable to dog owners as the identification benefits become more apparent.
The Kennel Club Association says the surprise change of stance by the Green Party MPs is bewildering.
Kennel Club president, Lesley Chalmers, says their decision mocks the party's policy. She says the legislation penalises compliant dog owners and is just another tax.
Federated Farmers is hailing the decision as a victory for common sense, but says while it is happy to have working dogs exempted from microchipping, it will continue to push for its total removal from legislation.
Peter Buckley says Federated Farmers will support any further moves by urban dog owners to overturn the new law.
